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A little about Peter and a Couple of Verses-** Thinking- thinking- …

Before we continue with our study of 1 and 2 Peter I thought it would be good to stop for a moment and learn what we can about Peter.

Peter lived was native to Bethsaida and also had a home in Capernum. Peter was married( Matt 8:14; Mark1:30; Luke 4:38) His wife traveled with him when we went about his work as an Apostle.( 1 Cor 9:5) Peter was a businessman, a partner in a fishing business with James and John. This was apparently a very lucrative and successful business. Just a side note here- there has recently been an effort to portray the apostles and Jesus as socialists- this is simply not true – they were businessmen and that would by definition make them capitalist. Peter was generally the spokesman for the twelve. Peter’s real name was Simon, Jesus renamed him Peter, in line with Peter’s character. Peter was bold, courageous, outspoken, brash, and stubborn. Though Peter’s bravery failed at times, he was fearless under the pressure of persecution. Peter was one of the inner circle of three that consisted of Peter, John, and James. Peter was present at the transfiguration. Peter was a man of action and he was more impulsive than logical.

Tradition has it that Peter was fleeing from Rome, during Nero’s persecution, when, at night on the Appian Way, he saw Jesus in a vision, and asked” Where are you going Lord?” ( Quo vadis, Domine?). And Jesus amswered, “I am going to Rome to be crucified again.” Peter, ashamed and humilated, returned to Rome and was crucified upside down at his own request,. because he did think himself worthy to be crucified as the Lord had been.

Back to the study, tonight is very brief. It amazes me as I read this letter, that every word seems profound and deserves some type of exposition, but we would never get through it if we did that. One could spend a life time just studying and analyzing this short letter alone.

13Therefore gird up the loins of your mind, be sober, and rest your hope fully upon the grace that is to be brought to you at the revelation of Jesus Christ;14 as obedient children, not conforming yourselves to the former lusts,as in your ignorance;15but as He who called you isholy, you also be holy in all yourconduct,16because it is written, “Be holy, for I am holy.”17And if you call on the Father, who without partiality judges according to each one’s work, conduct yourselves throughout the time of your stay here in fear;18 knowing that you were not redeemed with corruptible things,like silver or gold, from your aimless conduct received by tradition from your fathers,19 but with the precious blood of Christ, as of a lamb without blemish and without spot.20He indeed was foreordained before the foundation of the world, but was manifest in these last times for you21who through Him believe in God, who raised Him from the dead and gave Him glory, so that your faith and hope are in God.

Verse 13-People in biblical times wore long robes and if they wanted to move quickly without tripping, they would tie the robes up around their waste, thus they could move without being tripped up. We need to have our hearts and minds focused on the things that will allow us to serve God in a successful and honorable fashion- so that we do not trip and fall back into our old ways. When Peter says be sober he is meaning to use sound spiritual and mental judgment. In others words, to take your salvation and minsitry seriously.

Verse 14- We should not go back to nor let our former worldly ways control out thoughts or actions.

That sums up the study for tonight, it has been a busy day for me. Take some time and meditate on the above verses. This letter gets deeper and deeper as we go.